Socks: the Fisherman & His Wife

The final touches on the socks went off without any further problems: I used some of my leftover KnitPicks Essential to knit the toe, and while it doesn't really match, it's close enough that it doesn't scream out how different it is. I can't really say "lesson learned" either, since of all the many cuff-down socks I've knit, this is the first time I've run out of yarn at the toe. I imagine I'll keep making that gamble, in the future. I suppose that I could get really neurotic about it and start weighing yarns and winding two balls for two socks, etc. I'd rather stay relaxed and have fun and run the risk of having funny-coloured sock toes.

As for the pattern itself, I really love the look of the chevron, and think it would look good with some of the more variegated sock yarns I have. I may revisit it, though I doubt I would use the linen-stitch heel and toe. I find the stitch is a bit stiff at the toe, especially. I'm sure it will last better against wear and tear, but I'd rather have a softer comfy toe, I think.

As I mentioned previously, these socks were from a kit by Sanguine Gryphon. When you buy it, you get everything you need for the socks (sans needles), plus a little scroll with the story of the Fisherman & His Wife, which tells the tale of a man who catches a magical fish that grants wishes. If you have socks made of ocean waves, one day you just might find a little fishie swimming by, along the leg.


Catch him in the net and make a wish!

Grr Argh

As you can see, the yarn gobbling monster that is this sock has eaten up all of the yarn, and with one repeat and the toe left to go. I thought long and hard about how to deal with this (since I saw it coming not long after I finished the gusset) but ultimately decided to use some leftover blue yarn from other projects. It is far from a perfect match, but is better than any of the other ideas I came up with.

Funny thing is: back on the first sock, I had to decide how long to make the leg. The pattern doesn't say anything different about the leg length for a size Large than for other sizes. Often they will specify if the leg needs to be shorter on the Large, to ensure you won't run out of yarn. I decided to gamble and make the leg the length they give (where so often I decide to make the leg shorter and end up with loads of leftover yarn.) Well, sometimes in gambling, you lose. Oh well. They'll still be cute socks: you haven't even seen the punchline yet.

Then There's This Stuff

Being so caught up in the effort of getting photos of the shawl, I have been pretty remiss about posting progress on the various other things I've been working on. I am nearly finished a second sock already -- these ones are from Sanguine Gryphon (Love.) I got the kit for them at Sock Summit last year, so they've been waiting a while for me to get around to them. As you can see, they have a cute little chevron pattern like waves in the ocean. There are many shades of blue in this yarn, and initially I didn't love some of the greyer blues in there, but they are all shades of the sea and it has certainly grown on me while I knit it.


I am also nearly done a knitting bag that I have had in my queue for literally years. I bought this Berroco Suede yarn at a great discount from elann.com years ago, planning to use it for this exact pattern. For years it's sat here: all I was missing were the handles. Last month I decided to finally pull it out of my stash and make it. I was unsuccessful finding the right handles anywhere online, so I improvised, and bought something similar enough that I can make it work. The finishing is all that's left on this one: lining with some cute fabric, attaching grommets and tassels and handles. I am still waiting for the handles in the mail, and then I will throw it all together. Don't you love how this stitch pattern looks in the Suede? Yum.


I even have a new project ready to fill that bag -- with some of my birthday gift certificates, I went to my LYS and picked up some lovely DK merino from King Cole. The red shade is hard to capture, but trust me that it's a lovely cherry red colour and should make a very nice cardigan for work. With the weather in the 30C range this week, buying merino sounds pretty crazy, but frankly, the air conditioning at work will ensure that I need a warm wooly cardigan year round. The gauge swatch is done for this one, so I'm ready to cast on -- stay tuned!